The 9th annual Refugee and Immigrant Legislative Day will take place on Thursday, February 12th at the Capitol. The Commission recognizes the diverse histories and rich contributions of our refugee and immigrant populations to the State of Washington.
The Commission would like to invite the public to participate in these activities at the Capitol:
- February 19, 2015 is the Day of Remembrance, the annual day of recognition in remembrance of Japanese Americans interned during World War II. The Day of Remembrance will be observed in the south House Gallery. For planning purposes, please notify the offices of Senator Bob Hasegawa and Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos if you plan to attend by contacting Omar.Jackson@leg.wa.gov no later than February 9.
- Save the date for the annual Ethnic Commission Legislative Reception, which will take place on March 16, 2015 in the Columbia Room on the ground floor of the Legislative Building beginning at 6 PM.
Education
Washington’s public education system will see significant changes through new investments and policy changes. Senate Bill 5718 would establish a process to review potential equity and social justice impacts on communities of color or students already at risk from policy and fiscal decision making in the state’s public education system.
HB 1570, requested by Gov. Inslee, would help address teacher shortages in special education, bilingual education, English Language learner, computer science, and environmental and sustainability education.
2/09/2015 – 1:30 PM
Early Learning & K-12 education Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 4
J.A. Cherberg Building
- SB 5718 Concerning consideration of equity and social justice impacts from education system decision making
House Education Committee 1:30 PM
House Hearing Rm A
John L. O’Brien Building
- HB 1570 Creating flexibility for the educator retooling conditional scholarship program
Omnibus House Bill 1541 will have a public hearing this week. The bill encompasses the recommendations developed by the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee (EOGOAC), in which CAPAA has two representatives on the committee. HB 1541 would implement recommendations to strengthen the cultural competency of educators, reduce the disproportionate discipline rate for students of color, improve student data collection and reporting and more.
2/10/2015 – 1:30 PM
House Education Committee
House Hearing Rm A
John L. O’Brien Building
- HB 1541 Implementing strategies to close the educational opportunity gap, based on the recommendations of the EOGOAC
- HB 1682 Improving education outcomes for homeless students through increased in-school guidance supports, housing stability and identification services
- HB 1783 Expanding dual language and bilingual instruction for early learners through secondary students
2/12/2015 – 8:00 AM
Early Learning & K-12 education Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 1
J.A. Cherberg Building
- SB 5690 Concerning school-community learning assistance program action plans
House Education Committee 8:00 AM
House Hearing Rm A
John L. O’Brien Building
- HB 1682 Improving education outcomes for homeless students through increased in-school guidance supports, housing stability and identification services
- HB 1783 Expanding dual language and bilingual instruction for early learners through secondary students
Health & Human Services
Diabetes affects a large number of the API population, Pacific Islanders, South Asians and Filipinos experiencing higher rates of the disease than other communities. SB 5689 would charge the Department of Health and DSHS to collaborate, identify goals and develop agency plans to reduce the incidence of diabetes in Washington and improve the care towards diabetes.
2/09/2015 – 10:00 AM
Health Care Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 4
J.A. Cherberg Building
- SB 5689 Concerning the scope and costs of the diabetes epidemic in Washington
2/10/2015 – 1:30 PM
Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs
House Hearing Rm E
John L O’Brien Building
- HB 1720 Concerning healthy housing
2/11/2015 – 1:30 PM
Health Care & Wellness
House Hearing Rm A
John L O’Brien Building
- HB 1458 Concerning the age of individuals at which sale or distribution of tobacco and vapor products may be made
Economic Development & Security
2/13/2015 – 8:00 AM
Finance Committee
House Hearing Rm A
John L. O’Brien Building
- HB 1861 Creating a business and occupation tax deferral program for small businesses
Commerce & Labor Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 1
J.A. Cherberg Building
- SB 5402 Ensuring safe, responsible, and legal acquisition of marijuana by adults
Government
2/10/2015 – 10:00 AM
Government Operations & Security Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 2
J.A. Cherberg Building
2/12/2015 – 1:30 PM
State Government Committee
House Hearing Rm E
John L. O’Brien Building
- HB 1708 Regulating interpreter services